Fourth-Born

Jacob’s firstborn is Reuben, but he doesn’t become the preeminent son of Jacob because he takes his father’s concubine. Neither do the next two, Simeon and Levi, because they slaughter the men of the city of Shechem. It’s the fourth, Judah, who becomes the chief among his brothers.

The same thing happens again with David, the new Jacob. Three sons are eliminated for one reason or another – Amnon (rapist), Absalom (murderer and rebel), and Adonijah (rebel). Solomon is the fourth, and he takes the throne after David.

It all starts early in Genesis. Within the Abraham narrative there are four births. Ishmael is born to Abraham and Hagar, and then Lot has two sons with his daughters – Moab and Ammon. None of these becomes the carrier of the covenant. It’s the fourth son, Isaac, who is designated as “seed.” 

The fourth shall be first.